The Connecticut Tides Baseball Club will be holding tryouts for the upcoming 2012 Spring/Summer season. Tryouts will be held at "The Batter's Box" located at 327 Main Avenue, Norwalk. Ages 12-14 will have tryouts on January 6, 13 and 20 from 7 p.m-8:30 p.m. Ages 15-18 tryouts are January 7, 14 and 21 from 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. All tryouts will be conducted by our staff of current and former pro and college players. Cost to attend is $110.00 for all three workouts. For more info, visit www.cttides.com or email us at cttidesbaseball@yahoo.com

BABE RUTH BASEBALL

Related Stories

Stamford Babe Ruth 13u Travel Team has been invited to compete in the 2012 Diamond Nation 13u Travel Tournament in Flemington N.J. Games will be played at the HealthQuest Sports Dome on March 9-30, 2012. Players interested in joining the Stamford Babe Ruth 13u Travel Team must be committed to the March dates and able to travel on weekends and to practices. A minimal cost will be charged per player. We hope for one or two teams representing Stamford. There may be a tryout in Feb. 2012. For more info, email Butch LaMotta at sbrl1998@aol.com

Stamford Babe Ruth will host their 7th Spring Jamboree Baseball Tournament April 14-22, 2012. Teams will be scheduled to play three games per day. Teams will be able to choose their schedules to suit their needs. Last year 32 teams played in the tournament from the Tri-State Area. Cost per day will include umpires and baseballs. Most games will be played at Cubeta Stadium, Stamford. Babe Ruth, AAU and Independent teams are welcome. For more info, email Butch LaMotta at sbrl1998@aol.com

The Stamford White Sox will enter their sixth season of highly competitive baseball in 2012. The Sox have played in the Finals of the Westchester Baseball Association each year and have earned a New England Regional bid each year. If you are of college age and ability and would like to play a 35-40 game season plus Playoffs and Tournaments, please email Inzi7@aol.com or call Coach Inzitari at 203-219-0335.

BASEBALL DONATIONS

The Polish National Youth Baseball Foundation wants your excess and used sports equipment. Baseballs, bases, bats, catcher's equipment, gloves, uniforms, etc. Donations can be dropped off at Clark's Trophies, Instant Replay in Springdale, or we will pick up. For more info, contact Al Kaproski at 203-323-9944.

BASEBALL UMPIRE CLINICS

The Fairfield County Chapter of Approved Baseball Umpires will conduct clinics for those wishing to work high school, summer and fall games. Clinics will be held at Notre Dame of Fairfield High School from 8-11:30 a.m. on five straight Sundays: Jan. 22 and 29 as well as February 5, 12 and 19. The exam will be administered Feb. 26. For more info or to register, visit www.fccabu.org

Bernie Williams and Don Mattingly, two of the greatest New York Yankees of all time, along with former teammates and friends will be teaming up once again, to face perhaps their most formidable foe -- hunger. On Saturday January 28, the stars will be shining in Danbury for a dinner and silent auction to benefit Hillside Food Outreach, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing food for over 2500 people in Fairfield (CT), Westchester and Putnam (NY) Counties. In addition to the benefit dinner and silent auction, a baseball clinic, for college, high school, American Legion, summer travel and youth coaches will be conducted at Frozen Ropes (9 a.m.-4 p.m.), located at 69 Kenosia Avenue in Danbury. Proceeds will benefit Hillside Food Outreach. Joining Bernie and Don throughout the day will be Hensley `Bam Bam' Meulens, Charlie Hayes, Chad Curtis, Gerald Williams, Jim Leyritz, Scott Kamieneicki and other former Bronx Bombers. Matt Barnes, former Bethel High School and UConn standout, and the 1st round pick of the Boston Red Sox in the 2011 Major League Baseball draft, former Brooklyn Dodger great Ralph Branca, and World Champion St. Louis Cardinal Bob Humphreys will also join the event's lineup. The dinner and silent auction to benefit Hillside Food Outreach, which is open to the public, will be from 6 p.m.-11 p.m. at the Matrix Corporate Center in Danbury. For more info, call 914-747-0095 or 203-702-4881 for details. To reserve your seat for the baseball clinic, please call 203-205-0174 or 203-948-9578.

BASKETBALL CLINICS

Former UConn point guard Craig Austrie is launching a number of new developmental programs geared towards developing some of the top guards and post players in the state. Austrie, who has been running the exceptionally successful "Craig Austrie's Basketball IQ Skills" developmental program out of the Stamford YMCA since January 2010, will now be offering a 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month developmental program at the Stamford YMCA. Austrie will also be offering a limited number of more exclusive/ private home based or semi-private one-on-one sessions. The home sessions will also offer the option of 3, 6, or 12 month programs. The home based program has an extremely limited number of slots. It will be filled based upon a first come, first served registration basis. For more info or to register, e-mail to caustrie@gmail.com or call 203-832-2265 or visit www.craigaustrie.net

Former UConn point guard Craig Austrie has put a 10 game Elite Evaluation League together. All games at Stamford YMCA. Players will be evaluated during every game and at the end of each day players will walk away with an individualized detailed report on their strengths and weaknesses. They will have fun, compete, and receive constructive criticism from Craig through a written report card when their game is finished. This is a great opportunity to get better. The more players we have the more competitive the games will be. Feel free to pass this along to friends. Although travel basketball and AAU are great, players rarely have the chance to free their minds and just play basketball. These games are built for players to find their true basketball game. No coaches, no pressure. Players will play their games have fun and leave with recommendations to enhance their games from Craig Austrie. Cost is $400. First game Saturday January 7, 2012. Saturday schedule: Kindergarden, 1st Grade- (8am-9am). Grades 2-4 (10am-11am). Grades 5-7 (11am-noon). Grades 8-11 (noon-1 p.m.). Every Saturday Jan. 7-March 10. Makeup Games on March 17, 2012. Parents are welcome to stay and watch their children play. To reserve spot and receive waiver form: email Caustrie@gmail.com or call 203-832-2265.

Newly certified Yoga teacher Ahmad Mickens of Revolution Fitness is holding a series of weekly B-Yoga classes at Revolution Fitness gym at 860 Canal St., Stamford. For more info, email Ahmad@revolutionfitness.org. Revolution Fitness is hosting Crossfit Classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. as well as Wednesday mornings from 6 a.m.-9 a.m. Revolution Fitness also has a new program "The Yard" focusing on strength and hypertrophy. Zumba Classes are available as well. For more info, visit www.revolutionfitness.org. Anyone interested in working out alongside the Revolution Fitness Youth Boxers for one hour can call 203-355-2666 or e-mail ahmadmickens@rfyouthboxing.com and get details on Operation Motivation.

The Greenwich Department of Parks and Recreation announces that registration for the Intro to Lacrosse program has begun. The program is an introductory non-contact clinic that teaches the basics of lacrosse. It includes stick work and skills, passing, catching, shooting, basic offensive and defensive drills, and small-sided games. Intro to Lacrosse is being offered on Tuesday evenings at the Eastern Greenwich Civic Center gym in Old Greenwich starting January 9. Ages 6 - 8 will meet from 6 p.m. -- 7 p.m. Ages 9 -- 11 will meet from 7 p.m.-8 p.m. Players must wear sneakers or indoor sports shoes, bring their own stick and mouth guard -- helmet for boys and eyewear for girls. Equipment can be purchased locally. Registration is limited. For more info, please call the Recreation Office at 203-622-6478 or visit www.greenwichct.org. Click on Parks and Recreation and then go to youth programs.

INDOOR LACROSSE CLINIC

The Greenwich Department of Parks and Recreation announces that it will offer boys ages 10 -12 and girls ages 9 -11 the opportunity to play lacrosse in an informal program. Games will be played on Saturday afternoons from 3 pm -- 4 pm for the boys. The girls will meet from 4 pm -- 5pm. It will meet at Eastern Greenwich Civic Center gym in Old Greenwich starting January 7. Players must wear sneakers or indoor sport shoes, bring their own stick and pads and mouth guard -- helmets for boys and eyewear for girls. Registration is limited. For more info, call the Recreation Office at 203-622-6478 or visit www.greenwichct.org. Click on Parks and Recreation and then go to youth programs.

SOFTBALL COACHES CONVENTION

The 2012 Mohegan Sun World Softball Coaches' Convention will take place at Mohegan Sun Convention Center in Uncasville on Saturday, January 21, 2012, and will feature a blockbuster line-up of presenters, including: Softball superstar Jessica Mendoza, Legendary UCLA Softball Coach and NFCA Hall of Famer Sue Enquist, University of South Carolina Head Softball Coach Beverly Smith, USA Softball National Team Infielder Ashley Charters, Planet Fastpitch Founder and Youth Softball Coaching Expert Denise Davis, Rightview Pro Founder Don Slaught, USA Elite Softball Training's Jen Hapanowicz, University of Maine Softball Head Coach Lynn Coutts and Stanford University's Director of Performance & Past USA Softball Performance Director Brandon Marcello, PhD. This event is great for coaches and players alike. Educational sessions include: Adding a Competitive Edge to Your Practices: Hitting and Baserunning Activities for the Whole Team, presented by Beverly Smith; Speed Development: Improve Your Players' Defensive Speed, by Brandon Marcello; Inspire Your Athletes from the Inside Out, presented by Lynn Coutts; and Hitting Fallacies: Misunderstanding and Miscues, presented by Sue Enquist and Jessica Mendoza. Pre-registration for the Mohegan Sun World Softball Coaches' Convention is $105 ($130 at the door) per coach, which includes a free gift for all registrants. Pre-registration for students or players (9-18 years old) is $69. For more info, visit www.SoftballCoachesClinic.com or call 860-674-1500.

TRAVEL LACROSSE TRYOUTS

The Connecticut Stars Boys Youth Lacrosse Club of Stamford is looking for boys Grades 9-12 interested in playing travel lacrosse. Tryouts for Grades 9-12 -- January 15 & 29, 2012 - 8 p.m.-10 p.m. At the SoNo Field House -- 365 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, Norwalk. Experienced Coaching by former MLL, NLL and NCAA players, as well as High School Coaches. A capped roster of 25 players will assure maximum playing time for every player. We will instruct on technique, support improvement, enhance enjoyment of the game, engage in team play and have fun! Summer 2012 travel squad players will receive a CT Stars jersey and shorts, team apparel, compete in 4 tournaments and participate in 8-10 practices. Register Early - Visit us on-line at www.CTStarsLax.com or call 203-326-0713 - email info@CTStarslax.com. On-line registration is a must.

CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT

The Connecticut Sports Writers' Alliance will again host the Bo Kolinsky Scholarship Golf Tournament on June 28, 2012 at Lyman Orchards Golf Club in Middlefield. The tournament, which will have a noon shotgun start and a shamble format, is named for the longtime high school sports editor of the Hartford Courant and past president of the Alliance who died Dec. 14, 2003 at the age of 49. Entry fee of $170 includes a box lunch on the course, buffet dinner, prizes and silent and live auctions. Entry is on a first-come, first-serve basis as the first 132 entries will play the Robert Trent Jones Course and the other entries will play the Gary Player Course. Dinner only is $50. Entries should include names, handicaps and a contact phone number or email address and sent to: Bruce Berlet, 202 Carriage Drive, Glastonbury, Ct. 06033. Those wanting to attend only the dinner should send a check to Berlet. Checks should be made payable to the Bo Kolinsky Scholarship Fund, the tournament beneficiary. The Bo Kolinsky Scholarship is given to a Connecticut high school senior planning to attend a four-year college in pursuit of a career in sports journalism and is renewable. It has already provided $24,000 to eight students, three of whom are still receiving funds. The new title sponsor of the tournament is Integrated Benefit Partners. Corporate sponsors are Ahead, the Connecticut Section PGA, Connecticut State Golf Association, Connecticut Whale, Elkinson and Sloves, Hartford Courant, May, Bonee and Walsh, SignPro, Travelers and the Travelers Championship. Anyone wishing to become a sponsor, purchase a tee sign or donate an auction item should contact Berlet at the above address, call 860-633-8733 or email golfwrtr@aol.com, Alliance president George Albano at 203-434-2320 or truckin114@aol.com, Bob Mayer at 860-234-4380 or Robert.mayer@patch.com or Courant sports editor Jeff Otterbein at 860-241-6434 or jotterbein@courant.com. A title sponsorship of $5,000 includes three foursomes in the tournament, a tee sign, a company spokesperson addressing the players as well as mentions in Gold Key Dinner programs and on the tournament sponsors banner. A corporate sponsorship of $1,300 includes one foursome in the tournament. Tee signs are $150. For more information and an entry form, visit www.ctsportswriters.org.

Bernie Williams Clinic

Bernie Williams and Don Mattingly, two of the greatest New York Yankees of all time, along with former teammates and friends will be teaming up once again, to face perhaps their most formidable foe -- hunger. On Saturday January 28, 2012, the stars will be shining in Danbury for a dinner and silent auction to benefit Hillside Food Outreach, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing food for over 2500 people in Fairfield (CT), Westchester and Putnam (NY) Counties. In addition to the benefit dinner and silent auction, a baseball clinic, for college, high school, American Legion, summer travel and youth coaches will be conducted at Frozen Ropes (9 a.m.-4 p.m.), located at 69 Kenosia Avenue in Danbury. Proceeds will benefit Hillside Food Outreach. Joining Bernie and Don throughout the day will be Hensley `Bam Bam' Meulens, Charlie Hayes, Chad Curtis, Gerald Williams, Jim Leyritz, Scott Kamieneicki, Carlos Rodriguez, and several other former Bronx Bombers. Matt Barnes, former Bethel High School and UConn standout, and the 1st round pick of the Boston Red Sox in the 2011 Major League Baseball draft, former Brooklyn Dodger great Ralph Branca, and World Champion St. Louis Cardinal Bob Humphreys will also join the event's lineup. The dinner and silent auction to benefit Hillside Food Outreach, which is open to the public, will be from 6 p.m.-11 p.m. at the Matrix Corporate Center in Danbury. For more information, call 914-747-0095 or 203-702-4881 for details. To reserve your seat for the baseball clinic, please call 203-205-0174 or 203-948-9578.

YOUTH WRESTLING

Stamford Jr. Wrestling Club is starting its 21st year on January 3. Registration for the Stamford Jr. Wrestling Club session is underway. The SJWC offers instruction and competitive opportunities for beginners and experienced wrestlers ages 6-14. Wrestlers will have the opportunity to learn skills, practice technique and gain match experience in a disciplined and fun environment. The program is open to children from all towns. Practices are held after school at Cloonan, Dolan, Rippowam, Scofield

The Connecticut Sports Writers' Alliance will again host the Bo Kolinsky Scholarship Golf Tournament on June 28, 2012 at Lyman Orchards Golf Club in Middlefield. The tournament, which will have a noon shotgun start and a shamble format, is named for the longtime high school sports editor of the Hartford Courant and past president of the Alliance who died Dec. 14, 2003 at the age of 49. Entry fee of $170 includes a box lunch on the course, buffet dinner, prizes and silent and live auctions. Entry is on a first-come, first-serve basis as the first 132 entries will play the Robert Trent Jones Course and the other entries will play the Gary Player Course. Dinner only is $50. Entries should include names, handicaps and a contact phone number or email address and sent to: Bruce Berlet, 202 Carriage Drive, Glastonbury, Ct. 06033. Those wanting to attend only the dinner should send a check to Berlet. Checks should be made payable to the Bo Kolinsky Scholarship Fund, the tournament beneficiary. The Bo Kolinsky Scholarship is given to a Connecticut high school senior planning to attend a four-year college in pursuit of a career in sports journalism and is renewable. It has already provided $24,000 to eight students, three of whom are still receiving funds. The new title sponsor of the tournament is Integrated Benefit Partners. Corporate sponsors are Ahead, the Connecticut Section PGA, Connecticut State Golf Association, Connecticut Whale, Elkinson and Sloves, Hartford Courant, May, Bonee and Walsh, SignPro, Travelers and the Travelers Championship. Anyone wishing to become a sponsor, purchase a tee sign or donate an auction item should contact Berlet at the above address, call 860-633-8733 or email golfwrtr@aol.com, Alliance president George Albano at 203-434-2320 or truckin114@aol.com, Bob Mayer at 860-234-4380 or Robert.mayer@patch.com or Courant sports editor Jeff Otterbein at 860-241-6434 or jotterbein@courant.com. A title sponsorship of $5,000 includes three foursomes in the tournament, a tee sign, a company spokesperson addressing the players as well as mentions in Gold Key Dinner programs and on the tournament sponsors banner. A corporate sponsorship of $1,300 includes one foursome in the tournament. Tee signs are $150. For more information and an entry form, visit www.ctsportswriters.org.

GIANTS SUMMER CAMPS

This summer, the New York Giants will offer non-contact football camps in communities in Connecticut and New York. Each five-day camp runs Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Camps are available to kids ages 6 to 14 years old. Kids learn to run, throw, catch, defend and compete. Programs provide safe, non-contact football instruction, athletic skill development, life skill, fitness and agility training. All camps feature Giants Camp Heroes like Bill Ard, Stephen Baker, Chris Calloway, Eric Dorsey, Sam Garnes, Rodney Hampton, Curtis McGriff, Odessa Turner and Perry Williams. The camp cost is $459 with early registration discounts of $419 available. Connecticut camps will be in Greenwich (June 18-22, Whitby School), New Canaan (June 25-29; July 23-27, St. Luke's School) and Stamford (July 16-20, Stamford High). New York camps will be in New Rochelle (July 23-27, Iona Grammar School), Rye (July 9-13, School of Holy Child) and White Plains (July 16-20, site TBD). For more info, visit www.NYGiantsCamps.com or call toll-free 877-226-9919.

KAYAK LESSONS

The Small Boat Shop at 144 Water Street in Norwalk, the area's premier paddlesports shop for 30 years, is running guided kayak trips to the Norwalk Islands this autumn, and has scheduled several foliage watching trips on inland lakes and rivers in October. These trips have proven popular in the past, as the air is pleasantly cool, and the fall scenery is spectacular. Boats and equipment are provided by the Small Boat Shop. The customer merely has to bring lunch, appropriate clothing, and a sense of adventure. Folks who want to paddle on their own can also rent kayaks through the fall season. The Small Boat Shop can be reached at 203-854-5223, or info@thesmallboatshop.com or visit www.thesmallboatshop.com. Foliage trips are scheduled on Lake Lillinonah, in Newtown, and on the tidal Connecticut River. Lake Lillinonah is surrounded by beautiful, gently rolling, wooded hills. The Connecticut River trips leave from Deep River, and the scenic route is dictated by the tides. Every bend in the river has an interesting story associated with it, and both locations have a high probability of spotting bald eagles.

TENNIS

Shippan Racquet Club, an indoor tennis club in Stamford, currently has programs available for both children and adults this winter. Registration is now open for all junior and adult programs. For juniors, Shippan offers Pee Wee Tennis (for ages 4-5), the popular 10 & Under Tennis (6-10), Junior Development Program classes (10 - 16), and the Advanced Training Program, which includes our entry-level Satellite classes and our Tournament Training Program classes (age 11-18). For adults, Shippan offers group lessons, leagues, flights and season courts. For more information on winter programs, please call 203-323-3129 or visit www.shippanracquet.com

The Kings Highway Tennis Club, an indoor tennis club in Darien, has many programs available.. Registration is now open for Junior Challenger (ages 9 -14), Quick Start Tennis (ages 4-5) and (ages 6-10) and Juniors Tennis (ages 11-17). Kings Highway Tennis Club is located at 98 Old Kings Highway North, Darien. For more information on winter programs please call (203) 655-8769 or visit www.kingshwytennis.com.

COACHING VACANCIES

The Ridgefield High School Athletics Department is accepting applications for the following coaching positions: SPRING 2012: Head Girls Outdoor Track. Successful coaching candidates will hold a valid Connecticut Teaching Certificate, Coaching Permit or be eligible for a Temporary Emergency Coaching Permit. Candidates must successfully complete or have completed both standard first aid and CPR training. Stipends for these positions are per the Ridgefield Public Schools Teachers Contract. Email resume to Carl Charles, AD: ccharles@ridgefield.org, Phone: 203-438-3785, ext. 1010

HELPING VETERANS

Operation Music Aid is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization based in Madison that secures musical instruments for our wounded servicemen and women. There is an auction consisting a Geno Auriemma signed guitar, two Geno Auriemma signed basketballs, a Jim Calhoun autographed guitar, two autographed Jim Calhoun basketballs and a signed football from the 2010 New York Giants. Bidding for these items continues. To make a bid, make the bid and your e-mail contact info to Operation Music Aid, Unit 1, 1 Orchard Park, Madison, Ct. 06443. For general organization info, visit www.operationmusicaid.org.

VOLLEYBALL

The Darien High girls volleyball program is accepting proceeds and working with the Virginia-based Side-Out Foundation -- a 501(c)3non-profit organization -- in allocating donations and grants toward the fight against breast cancer. To donate online please visit http://home.att.net/~coachylarue/volleyball/.

-

To be included in the upcoming events, send information to The Advocate, Sports Department, 9 Riverbend Drive South, Building 9A, Stamford, CT. 06907 or fax to 964-2345 or e-mail to sports@scni.com. Items should include a telephone number for verification.